TALLAHASSEE – Florida A&M President James Ammons resigned on Wednesday in a letter to the university governing board, according to university and state officials.

The announcement came shortly before parents of a FAMU marching band member, who died after being hazed, were expected to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the historically black university.

Champion, 26, was beaten to death aboard a charter bus carrying the university's celebrated "Marching 100" band to a football game and band competition.

Thirteen people have been arrested in the incident. Eleven of the defendants have been charged with a third-degree felony for "hazing with death," which is punishable under Florida law with a maximum of six years in prison. Two others face a misdemeanor charge.

(Writing by David Adams; Editing by Eric Walsh)